Time for Thanksgiving

This quote was on the cover of our church program yesterday.
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.”
– Melody Beattie

Denial into acceptance

I’ve learned (often the hard way) that acceptance is powerful. It would seem not to be so. After all isn’t accepting things as they are sort of like giving up. And what American ever chooses to give up? I attempt to live my life with the Serenity Prayer on my lips-“to accept the things I cannot change.” Accepting does not mean I like or approve of these things. It simply means I realize that I do not have the power to change circumstances.

Chaos to Order

I’ve come to understand that divine chaos always includes a message. Discerning that message may be difficult if I’m fighting the chaos kicking and screaming. As our pastor, Dr. Jim Fuller, said yesterday in his sermon we are living in a chaotic time and it is our responsibility to remain steady or stay the course. Could the message in this chaos be that we are to be the light in the dark times? The distinction is that we are in the middle of this craziness and most of us don’t see it for what it is. We are confused.

Confusion to Clarity

I don’t know about you but I yearn for clarity. Just give me a clear message and I’ll be fine, or so I think. Haven’t we been given a clear message already?
“God, Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Wisdom

I’m writing a series called “The ABC’s of Wisdom.” You may notice that they are not all what you might expect. I hope you will read them. I’ve lived a lot of years, some not so easy and others more blessed than I deserve. One thing has remained-I take life as a lesson. Learning is crucial for me. I imagine it is for you as well, since you are reading this.

Thanksgiving

My heart is overflowing with thanks. It has taken me many years but I think I’ve finally got it. Giving thanks draws more abundance into our lives, into our hearts. It really isn’t what we have. It is our attitude that brings heart-felt clarity.

   I raised three children as a single mother before I remarried. I have experienced the potholes, pests, and perils of being the single head-of-household. As an educator in regular and special education for twenty years I know a great deal about child development and how to handle kids. I am the founder of SMORE for Women, a nonprofit whose goal is Single Moms, Overjoyed, Rejuvenated, and Empowered. I'm a Certified Professional Coach and my stories have been published in several books and magazines. My book, Living Learning Loving is available on Amazon.